Chad Michael Murray: ‘I had no idea who Sam Phillips was’

Actor Chad Michael Murray had no idea who music mogul Sam Phillips was when he signed up to play the man who discovered Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis.
The former One Tree Hill star plays the influential DJ-turned-record label boss and music executive in upcoming TV series Sun Records, and admits he’s now a big fan of his character after researching his life and career.
“I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t know who Sam was, but once I found out, I fell in love with this iconically insane man…,” the actor told Access Hollywood. “He was so ahead of times… he didn’t see colour. His ear and his understanding of the truth in music was something really, really special and that’s what made Sun (Records) so viable.”
Phillips, who died in 2003 is considered by many to be one of the most important figures in the birth of rock ‘n’ roll.
He founded both Sun Studio and Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee, and he helped launch Elvis Presley’s career in 1954.”
Murray admits he has never been more nervous than he was when he sat through a screening of the new show’s pilot episode with Sam’s son Jerry.
“He came over and gave me the most honest and truthful hug…,” Chad recalled. “I spent some time while we were down in Memphis talking to him about who his dad was… and I got the hug!”
Phillips has previously been portrayed Gregory Itzin on TV in Quantum Leap, while Dallas Roberts played the music boss in the film Walk the Line.
Leonardo DiCaprio has reportedly signed up to play Sam Phillips in an upcoming movie based on Peter Guralnick’s book Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock ‘N’ Roll.